Media democratization is being debated in Recife.

Agency Brazil - Brazil needs to resolve the situation of the media, currently under the control of a small number of groups, according to professionals working in the sector who participated this Saturday, the 19th, in the lecture "Democratization of the Media," at the 14th National Council of Base Entities (Coneb) of the National Union of Students (UNE). Professor Laurindo Leal Filho from the University of São Paulo (USP), the president of Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC), Nelson Breve, and the president of the Barão de Itararé Center for Alternative Media Studies, Altamiro Borges, highlighted the need for accessible and quality communication.

"The State has a role in preventing concentration. This happens in other markets, with laws and regulatory agencies. But not in broadcasting. This is a flaw that must be combated," said Professor Laurindo Leal Filho of USP (University of São Paulo). "The university has a fundamental role in advancing this discussion," he added.

According to the president of EBC, Nelson Breve, the right to communication is guaranteed in the Federal Constitution, as is the complementarity of public, private, and state communication, but this is not what happens in practice. He stated that Brazil needs more oversight of the media, in addition to strengthening public communication. "More public companies need to be created so that the balance of the Brazilian communication landscape is strengthened," he said, highlighting the creation of EBC as a "victory for communication in the country."

The concentration of media ownership is a rallying cry for social movements and sector entities. According to an article by the Brazilian Collective for Social Communication – Intervozes, in 2009, the combined market share of the top four TV stations, all private and commercial, reached 83,3% in terms of audience. Regarding advertising, their share reached 97,2%.

The study "The Owners of the Media," by the Institute for Studies and Research in Communication (Epcom), shows that from 1990 to 2002 the number of groups controlling the media in Brazil decreased from nine to six. These groups are linked to 668 media outlets across the country: 309 television channels, 308 radio stations, and 50 daily newspapers.

One way to change the sector is through the formulation and approval of a media law – similar to the Media Law approved in Argentina – that divides concessions between public, private, and state-owned media and combats monopolies in the sector. "Brazil is lagging behind. Similar legislation already exists in Latin American countries and is in force in the European Union and the United States," emphasizes Professor Laurindo.

According to Altamiro Borges, president of the Barão de Itararé Center for Alternative Media Studies, the issue of media is crucial and strategic, especially for social movements. "It's impossible to have a struggle involving workers, students, or the agricultural sector if we don't engage in a debate about communication. It's a cross-cutting issue. We won't advance in democracy if we don't confront this issue."

The 14th National Council of Base Entities (Coneb) of the UNE takes place in Recife until Monday (21). This year there were more than 3,5 registrations from entities from all regions of the country. Under the theme "The Struggle for University Reform: from the Córdoba Manifesto to Our Days", Coneb offers debates and discussion groups on topics related to universities and Brazil. At the end, the delegates will decide the directions and positions of the UNE for 2013.